Herald: Are you happy with the manner things are moving on the Konkani stage?
Agostinho Temudo: Personally and as the president of Tiatr Academy Goa, I feel that the tiatr stage is moving away from pure entertainment. This is not the path which our stalwarts of Konkani stage treaded in the past and our veteran tiatrists did not teach us to follow this twisted trend.
Herald: At the recent emergency meet, tiatrists have unanimously agreed on self censorship. Do you think all will follow the decision taken?
Temudo: It all depends on each of the directors and individual tiatrists. If they truly care for the growth and progress of tiatr, then each of artistes should work in the same direction.
Herald: What will be the decision of TAG if some divert and go as per their whims and fancies?
Temudo: In the near future, if there are any complaints of objectionable content, be it in tiatr or songs, a neutral observer will be appointed and a request will be made to stop the show if the content complaint is confirmed.
Herald: In your opinion, should personal attacks be stopped in political songs?
Temudo: In the past, our veteran singers rendered political songs and they were well accepted by the audience as personal attacks were avoided and there always prevailed a twist in the names of the politicians. Political songs should continue as they help to highlight the wrongdoings in the political arena, but personal attacks on family life should be avoided as they bring in bad taste.
Herald: What have you to say as far as condemnation through assault on stage is concerned?
Temudo: As a tiatrist, I condemn anyone coming on stage and assaulting the tiatrists. The sacredness of the stage has to be maintained and condemnation of any kind can be expressed through protests outside the auditorium and other ways as well.
Herald: To avoid untoward incidents in the future, what is the best solution?
Temudo: There should be self regulations by all the directors on all songs and tiatr scripts. Vulgarity, communal and comments on women, politicians should be regulated. If such steps are enforced seriously, then ruckus on stage will be rare and people will get value for money and each of the tiatr buffs will enjoy pure entertainment through decent songs and comedy.
Herald: What’s your advice to the tiatr fraternity?
Temudo: The Konkani stage should never be used as a platform to settle scores with regards to personal and family life, through tiatr and songs. Those personal issues should be settled in the respective village and within the four walls of the house by the concerned parties. This move will always help maintain the sanctity of the tiatr stage.
